Shimi (silverfish) - Shimi (English spelling) silverfish

Japanese: シミ(衣魚∥紙魚) - シミ（英語表記）silverfish

A general term for insects belonging to the order Zygentoma (Thysanura) of the suborder Zygentoma, subclass Aptera. Primitive insects most closely related to winged insects, with a body length of 4-11 mm. The body is flattened and spindle-shaped, tapering particularly toward the tail, and the surface of the body is covered with silvery-white scales. It is characterized by the three tail hairs at the tail end being of nearly equal length. The larvae that hatch from the eggs become adults after molting about 10 times, and then molt about 50 times, living for about four years, which is long for an insect. During this time, there is almost no metamorphosis. A unique type of indirect fertilization is carried out in which the spermatophore is placed under a special thread secreted by the male, and when the female touches the thread, she picks it up.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

無翅亜綱シミ目(総尾類)シミ亜目Zygentomaに属する昆虫の総称。有翅昆虫にもっとも近縁な原始的昆虫で，体長4～11mm。体は扁平な紡錘形で，とくに尾端に向かって細まり，体表を銀白色の鱗片が覆う。尾端の3本の尾毛がほぼ等長であることが特徴。卵からかえった幼虫は10回あまりの脱皮で成虫となり，さらに50回前後の脱皮を繰り返し4年あまり生き，昆虫としては長寿である。この間，変態はほとんどない。雄が分泌した特殊な糸の下に置いた精包を，糸に触れた雌がとり上げる風変りな間接授精を行う。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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